Courage Under Fire (1996) review

Sheeesh! What an opening. I just wish the whole film stayed in battle mode. The opening sequence made me say, “Sheeesh! This is awesome!” Better than Fury (2014). The fire and desert reminded me of Jarhead (2005). The intensity reminded me of Black Hawk Down (2001). Fucking real explosions! The fire, smoke, and chaos made everything feel so real. Hearing all that gunfire and chaos while the soldiers are trying to survive makes the experience so immersive. The ensuing battle in the desert, the eventual fall of the chopper, the soldiers getting stranded, and their eventual rescue were great! I could really feel the battle. The sound design made me feel like I was right there with them. Captain Karen was courageous and heroic. A strong character. I also like how the different accounts gradually change the way I see what happened to her. But then the film shifts into an investigation. It reminded me of Sully (2016), with the same incident being examined through different accounts, although I found the investigation in Sully more engaging. I went in blind, so I didn't know it was going to be like that. I thought it was going to be a full blown war epic, but it turned into an investigative drama, which lost me. The contrast between the intensity of the battle sequences and the slower investigation was too big for me. I do wish it had stayed in full blown war film territory. Watched on Disney+